Category: Local

Meet the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Mia Rogers from Glen City Elementary School in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Rogers and her students found out about the honor today when her family and local dignitaries made a surprise visit to her classroom.

Rogers currently teaches second grade at Glen City Elementary. Her principal, Dr. Lydia Olivo, said Rogers takes a gentle but effective approach to ensuring each students’ success. “Succeeding is not an option for students in Mrs. Rogers’ class; it’s a given. She knows what each student is capable of, helps them gain confidence and pushes them beyond their current instructional level.”

The Port of Hueneme is Committed to Equality

As the country recovers from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in racial turbulence and violence adds to the challenges for many Americans. Asian Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans as well as immigrants, people of color, women, and the LGBT+ communities are feeling the direct impacts of this turbulence. To reaffirm the Port of Hueneme’s commitment to equality, the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners recently passed a board resolution to promote tolerance and denounce racism.

“The Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners acknowledges that the recent escalation of racial violence against the AAPI community must be acted upon,” said Board President Jason T. Hodge. “We are a District where people can feel safe and respected and free of harm and this resolution reflects that. We are a diverse working Port and as part of the global economy and local community, we have to incorporate our values into our actions.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 26, 2021

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Robotic Pet Companion Program offers people experiencing isolation and loneliness a comforting pet companion that mirrors many of the behaviors of a real animal. Those who have received the pets say they’ve noticed a decrease in depression symptoms, an increase in happiness, and improved sleep.

Do you know an older adult or person with a disability who is experiencing depression?

The VCAAA’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives, or PEARLS, is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression. PEARLS brings high-quality care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults 60 and older. For more information visit https://www.vcaaa.org/our-services/social-services-caregiving/ or call 805-477-7300.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Career Opportunities at EDC

The EDC is looking for two new staff members to join our team!

At the EDC, our work focuses around our purpose- meaningful contributions to economic opportunity for businesses, entrepreneurs and workers, increasing the region’s well-being and quality of life. We value trust, mutual support and collaboration, creating space for risk and innovation. Striving for continuous learning, we believe in constantly improving our work and encouraging our team member’s personal growth. Our team relies on each other and celebrates each other’s and our collective success.

Bilingual report — Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Master Plan Update

The Ventura County Department of Airports would like to thank community members who participated in the public workshop that was recently conducted to kick off the Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Master Plan update. Based on the feedback received to date, the Department has decided to pause the Master Plan process for a period of approximately one year or more if needed to broaden community engagement.

The intent of the Airport Master Plan Update is to both share information and listen to community members to seek their input and vision for how the two County owned Airports should serve our local communities and region. The County hopes to have a shared understanding through broadened engagement, of the community’s concerns and interests in how the Airports are being planned and operated to best serve all in our communities.  

Ventura College Foundation Distributes Over $640,000 In Scholarships

The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year.

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships.

“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Scholarship recipients are a wonderful example of the drive and commitment that our students show every day. Education is the gift that can pull families out of poverty, establish new futures, and launch dreams. We have been fortunate to be able to continue our mission during COVID to foster and enhance the education of Ventura College students. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and community members who are giving the gift of education by making these scholarships possible.”

Mary Maranville, SEEAG Founder & CEO, Is 2021 Women’s Economic Ventures Spirit of Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Award Winner

Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), received the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for Nonprofits. Each year, WEV celebrates outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in 10 industry categories. The awards were announced during a live virtual ceremony on May 21. Over 150 business leaders and community members attended.

“The SOE Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and honor these amazing women for the hard work they have put in to keep their businesses thriving. This year’s winners are even more inspirational when you factor in the challenges presented throughout the past year,” said Kathy Odell, CEO of WEV.

County of Ventura likely to reach State’s Yellow least restrictive tier 12:01 am June 2

The County of Ventura has reached the threshold for the least restrictive yellow tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for the first week of the required two-week period. If the County continues to meet that threshold for one more week the County will be able to move to the Yellow Tier on June 2 at 12:01 am.  Today, the State has reported that Ventura County’s adjusted case rate has dropped from 2.4 new cases per 100,000 people to 1.5 new cases per 100,000. The overall test positivity rate dropped from 1% to .7% and in health equity areas the test positivity rate dropped from 1.8% to 1.4%.  

“This is especially great news for our business community. Expanded capacity will help impacted businesses as we head into the summer months. We appreciate the hard work of our community members in getting us to this point,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.  

Ventura County Community Development Corp. Community Matters May 2021

Meet Crystal! About 3 years ago, Crystal and her father needed to refinance their home as their mortgage payments kept increasing due to their adjustable interest rate. Their hope was to refinance with a low fixed interest rate to lower their monthly mortgage payments. Crystal went to bank lenders to see if she would qualify for a refinance but nothing seemed to work for her. It was a worrisome time for Crystal and her dad and they thought they would lose their home as they continued to struggle to afford the monthly mortgage payments.  

All this changed after a family member, a client of ours, encouraged Crystal to get help from VCCDC.

“VCCDC made the process stress-free and guided us throughout the entire process. I am so grateful we were able to refinance our home through VCCDC because we were able to keep our home, lower our monthly mortgage payments and obtain a fixed interest rate,” says Crystal.

Sixteen global shipping companies slowed cargo ships for 181,000 nautical miles in 2020 program off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies

The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2020 program and recognized the shipping companies that successfully participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southern California region. The program’s new Southern California region extends from Point Arguello (in Santa Barbara County) to waters near Dana Point (by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach). The voluntary incentive program, called “Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies,” ran May 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.

Shipping companies receive recognition and financial awards based on the percent of distance traveled by their vessels through the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones at 10 knots or less and with an average speed of 12 knots or less. The 10-knot target complements the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) requests for all vessels (300 gross tons or larger) to slow down during the months of peak endangered blue, humpback, and fin whale abundance to protect these whales from ship strikes.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 25, 2021

We celebrate our heroes today. Five Disaster Service Workers supporting the Oxnard and Ventura vaccination sites are returning to their regular work duties in county departments and agencies after months of dedicating their time to COVID-19 response.

•Ulysses Martinez (Probation Agency)
•Gloria Whitcomb (Public Works Agency)
•Helen Tosh (Health Care Agency, Behavioral Health)
•Alice Morua (Human Services Agency)
•Linda Garcia Soto (Human Services Agency)
Pictured left to right

We appreciate your hard work in helping us move beyond the pandemic.

VCCCD Celebrates Class of 2021 Graduates

Not even a pandemic could stop this year’s graduates of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges from pursuing—and achieving—their educational goals. In recognition of what these resilient students have accomplished, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) leadership collaborated with its three colleges to celebrate the 5,370 students in the class of 2021 who have earned their degrees or certificates.

Festive Drive-Thru Graduations were held on May 20 at each college’s campus and Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula. 

“We are always proud of our graduates and all that they accomplish, but this year’s graduates hold a special honor for their persistence in completing their education when most of their classes were remote,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “As these students become VCCCD alumni, they are well-prepared for their next steps of a career or transferring to a four-year college or university.”

Michelle Jung Is “Making Waves” Alongside Erin Hanson’s ‘Colors of California’ at the Santa Paula Art Museum

The Santa Paula Art Museum is open, and its summer exhibitions are causing quite the stir. “Making Waves,” a solo show by Northern California artist Michelle Jung, will open June 5, 2021. Jung, who began painting professionally at age 40, has a particular fondness for the sea as she has lived near the coast—east and west—for much of her life. “Making Waves” is a large-scale, immersive presentation of seascape oil paintings that invites viewers to experience the beauty and drama of the Pacific coast. The exhibit will be on view June 5, 2021, to September 12, 2021. Like all of the Museum’s current exhibits, “Making Waves” will also be available to enjoy online at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

Consulado de México de Oxnard — Convocatoria ‘Premio de Literaturas Indígenas de América 2021’

Escritor o Escritora mexicana  que radicas en los condados de Ventura, Santa Barbara o San Luis Obispo, California, el Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indígenas (INALI) y distintas instituciones,  te convoca a participar en el “PREMIO DE LITERATURAS INDÍGENAS DE AMÉRICA 2021, PLIA” para promover la creación literaria de tu lengua originaria, para conocer más consulta la convocatoria completa ingresa a: http://cunorte.udg.mx/plia/convocatoria. ¡Participa! Tienes hasta el 19 de Agosto de 2021 @IME

Ten Local Business Owners Receive the 2021 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award, presented by Women’s Economic Ventures

On Friday, May 21, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) announced the 10 winners of the 2021 Spirit of Entrepreneurship (SOE) Awards at a virtual event celebrating outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Learn more at Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards.

“The SOE Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and honor these amazing women for the hard work they have put in to keep their businesses thriving. This year’s winners are even more inspirational when you factor in the challenges presented throughout the past year,” said Kathy Odell, CEO of WEV.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Meet our 2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts Fellows!

We are thrilled to introduce to you the 
2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts (ELA) fellows! 

This nine-month-long experience-based fellowship provides professional development training to undergraduate students who identify as people of color. With a long-term goal of diversifying art museum leadership, this fellowship includes: 

Village Properties hosting free kids’ chalk box “drive through” May 29, for I Madonnari street art festival

Families with children interested in creating their own street art for the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival are invited to pick up free boxes of chalk this Saturday at a “drive through” event sponsored by Village Properties Realtors.

Village Properties staff members and members of the Children’s Creative Project arts education organization will hand out 1,000 boxes of children’s chalk between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The event will take place at Village Properties’ Santa Barbara office parking lot (1436 State Street, off Micheltorena Street).

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Our latest homeownership success story is in! YOU could be next on June 26

Meet our newest homeowners, Mario and Alyssa! They’ve just closed on their home in Ventura thanks to $57,000 in down payment assistance. When we first spoke to Mario and Alyssa, they were under the impression that homebuying programs were too good to be true. Well, their doubts turned into hope fast after speaking to Alex and the lending team at VCCDC.

Santa Paula Art Museum — We’d Love To See You!

Closing Reception: Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light

Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The sun is setting on artist Anette Power’s solo show Silver Linings: Journey of Light here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. The exhibit is full of color, meaning and happiness, and we recommend seeing it with the artist in tow during the closing reception on Saturday, May 22. Reservations are required and are available at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. (space is limited).

And don’t forget that Anette will raffle off one of her gorgeous paintings (pictured below) on May 30 with all proceeds benefitting the Museum’s educational programs! Silver Linings: Journey of Light closes Sunday, May 30.

RSVP TO THE RECEPTION

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 21, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 12 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

There are various regular and mobile clinics offered throughout the County. The most updated information about vaccine sites and clinics can be found at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/.

For information about COVID-19 testing, visit: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Beyond the Blueprint for Industry & Business Sectors

California (on May 21) announced the details of the state’s full reopening plan. When California fully reopens the economy, the state will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. 

Beginning June 15, 2021, businesses will be able to return to usual operations with limited exceptions for mega events. The updated framework clarifies that physical distancing and capacity limitations will no longer be required for most businesses. 

Review California’s reopening plan and guidance effective June 15, 2021 for all sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart:

CLICK HERE FOR GUIDANCE EFFECTIVE JUNE 15, 2021

Note: Employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), if applicable to them.

Bernardo M. Perez Elected to Statewide Community College Board

Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Trustee Bernardo M. Perez has been elected to the 2021 California Community College Trustee (CCCT) Board. The 22-member board (including a student trustee) plays a vital role within the Community College League of California, providing leadership and guidance to secure a strong voice for locally elected governing board members.

Perez will serve a three-year term on the CCCT board, where he will help formulate educational policy issues coming before the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, State Legislature and other state-level boards and commissions.

New location: Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Karen R. Burnham Health Center

Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. is excited to expand the reach of our healthcare services, deepen our community connections and honor one of our longest-serving board members with the completion of the Karen R. Burnham Health Center, scheduled to open to the public on May 24, 2021 at 1100 West Gonzales Road in  Oxnard.

The Karen R. Burnham Health Center is a state-of-the-art facility that will enable Clinicas to keep pace with the growing needs of the Oxnard community. The clinic’s layout is designed to support cohesive, convenient, and streamlined health care delivery to its patients – including primary care, dental, optical, behavioral health, and X-ray services – in a central, easily accessible location. A full range of comprehensive services are brought together under one roof so patients can save time in addressing a variety of health care needs in one location. The new facility includes 30 primary care exam rooms; 4 behavioral health exam rooms; 10 dental exam rooms; 3 optical exam rooms; 4 chiropractic exam rooms; as well as space to provide telehealth treatment.

Registration now open for MERITO Marine Science 2021 Summer Beach Camp June 28 through July 23

Registration is now open for the MERITO Marine Science Summer 2021 Beach Camp to be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3days/week) from 9 a/,/tp 1 p.m. weekly from June 28 through July 23.

Open to youth ages 8 to 12.

Visit meritofoundation.org/afterschoolbeachcamp to register online.

This is a fully outdoor program that will take place at Buenaventura State Beach by the Kalorama Wetland, south of the Ventura pier. Registration cost is only $200 per week, $150 for the week of July 7-9 only Wednesday and Friday.

Oxnard Biologist and Writer will receive a special tribute in VI International Children’s and Youth Reading Fair in Central America

In honor of his philanthropy and support for education, René Corado will receive a special tribute in the VI Feria Internacional de la Lectura Infantil y Juvenil de Centroamérica.

“This show us that dreams came come true if you work for them,” said Corado, a biologist and writer who was born in Guatemala and has lived in the United States since 1981 and in Oxnard since 2001.

Corado is the Collections Manager of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, the museum with the largest collection of eggs and nests of birds of the world, with more than one million eggs and more than twenty thousand nests.

Bilingual commentary — Is the Pandemic Our New “Sputnik Challenge”?

As young as I was in the latter part of the 1950s, I was acutely aware of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. I recall that we were hell-bent on “beating those Communists.” Except that we didn’t. Twice.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union were planning to launch the world’s first satellite. Whoever accomplished this would be recognized as the world’s technological leader. The Soviets beat us to the punch in 1957 when they launched into orbit their Sputnik I satellite. In comparison with modern satellites, it was nothing sophisticated. But its impact on the American psyche was profound.

VCCCD Names Cynthia Herrera Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness

The Ventura Community College District (VCCCD) is pleased to announce that Dr. Cynthia Herrera has been appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness. Herrera joined the District in 2009 and most recently served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Partnerships, Enrollment and Advancement.

With a strong background in business and educational leadership, Herrera will be responsible for providing Districtwide coordination and leadership to support diversity, equity and inclusion; strategic planning and accreditation preparation; districtwide economic and workforce development; as well as expanding business and industry partnerships and enhancing student success and completion initiatives for VCCCD’s approximately 31,000 students.

Community Environmental Council Expands Climate Work with New Staff

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce the addition of several new staff members whose diverse backgrounds are expanding our organization’s ability to meet the demands of the climate crisis. This builds on a trend of growth for CEC that continued in 2020 and through this year, despite the pandemic.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — June 7 Digital Marketing Course deadline is May 31

In partnership with the Economic Vitality Corporation, SLO Partners and the Morgan Family Foundation, the Economic Development Collaborative is proud to support this 10-week digital marketing course that provides a unique hands-on learning experience to enhance your marketing skills in the new digital era. This course has been subsidized by the partners to help promote access and remove obstacles for those looking to improve their marketing skills in an affordable digital classroom setting.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Aviation Unit announces addition of ‘Firehawk’ helicopters

The Ventura County Aviation Unit, a joint operation of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department, announce the arrival of its two new “Firehawk” helicopters today, just in time for fire season.

The helicopters are former military Blackhawk helicopters that were converted for public safety use. They are equipped with a 1,000-gallon belly tank to drop water on fires, a rescue hoist, and night vision technology.

“These new Firehawks are an important addition to the Aviation Unit’s fleet,” Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. “They can carry almost three times as much water as our Vietnam-era ‘Huey’ helicopters, which significantly enhances our ability to fight wildfires and keep them small.”

Museum of Ventura County — Gardens Reopening June 1st + FREE Admission + Journal of Ventura County

We are excited to announce that beginning Thursday, June 3, 2021, the museum’s gardens and outdoor areas at both the Museum of Ventura (100 E. Main St., Ventura) and the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) will be open to the public! Both museums will operate Thursdays thru Sundays from 11am—5pm.

We invite you to come visit the refreshed and improved gardens, participate in family activities, and see the new art installations.

PLUS: Admission will be FREE to everyone, throughout 2021!

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 20, 2021

We are so grateful for the highly skilled teams working at County vaccination sites who are helping us get one step closer to normal. Staff from the Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) are working alongside our nurses and administrative teams to deliver vaccines to our community. Thank you to Frank Gomez, Kaden Gibson, Victor Hernandez from EMS (as pictured left to right).

The Collection at RiverPark hosts weekly Farmers Market

Beginning on June 19, The Collection at RiverPark will be hosting a Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with Raw Inspiration. Presented by Community Memorial Health System, the Farmers Market will be located on Collection Boulevard across from The Annex Food Hall.

On opening day, June 19, The Collection will kick off the Farmers Market with fun festivities for all ages. There will be live music, arts and crafts, photo opportunities, and more for the whole family to enjoy. From opening day forward, the weekly Farmers Market will offer visitors a chance to stroll in the sunshine as they shop for fresh, local, farm-to-table food.

“We can’t wait to welcome the community to this new Farmers Market,” said the shopping center’s Marketing Manager, Jill Almonia. “Here in Oxnard, we are fortunate to have a strong agricultural community and beautiful farmland right in our own backyard. This is a great opportunity to get outside this summer, support local farmers and merchants, and find some of the most delicious produce.”

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard and County of Ventura Unanimously Approve Channel Islands Harbor Cooperation Agreement

The Oxnard City Council and the County Board of Supervisors have both unanimously approved a cooperation agreement for major improvements in the Channel Islands Harbor.

“We have finally built a bridge for cooperation. This is really a ‘Hands Across the Channel Islands Harbor’ agreement, and together we can make improvements for the benefit of the residents of the City and the County,” said Mayor John C. Zaragoza.

District 1 Councilmember Bert Perello said, “Thanks to not only City and County staff, but to all the residents who participated fully throughout the years to ensure a fair and equitable resolution. This also sets the stage for us to pursue a ‘One Harbor’ initiative for the sake of water quality.”

Bilingual report — During EMS Week, AMR reflects on COVID-19 response

After a long year of hardships caused by COVID-19, Ventura County is finally starting to gain the upper hand in the pandemic. And during EMS Week, American Medical Response (AMR), America’s leading provider of ground medical transportation services, is thanking its team for all they did to help keep the community safe and healthy.

Since May 2020, AMR and its subsidiary, Gold Coast Ambulance, have contributed more than 36,300 hours to transporting COVID-19 patients, assisting with COVID-19 testing and helping provide vaccinations. During this time, AMR administered a total of 594,064 COVID-19 tests. In addition, as a whole, Ventura County has administered more than 766,480 vaccines — an accomplishment AMR’s support helped to make possible.

OC LIVE Online — WEspeak Stories of Resilience

This year we feature three dynamic OC graduating students – Karla Ramirez, Freddy Cardenas, and Associated Student Government President Lorena Ortiz – who share their stories of resilience and fortitude in achieving their educational goals during this toughest year. These inspiring OC grads help us see how we can adopt the same hope and commitment in our lives!

WEspeak is guided and directed by OC English Professor Jose Maldonado and OC ASL Professor Emily Zwaal. This episode was filmed live on campus April 29, 2021!

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Join us for Member Happy Hour on Thursday and Food System Financing on Friday

Join us on Thursday, May 20 at 4:30 p.m. for our first SBCFAN Membership Gathering – bring your favorite beverage, connect with other food system actors, learn more about the Network, and sharpen your food system knowledge.

This is a members only event; if you’re not yet a member, become one today or we’ll send you a link to join before the event. Membership is free through 2021!

Assemblymember Irwin Bill to Fight Honey Laundering

A bill authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and sponsored by the California Beekeepers Association would provide the first updates to honey labeling in California since 1978.

Assembly Bill (AB) 519 would clarify country of origin labeling (COOL) for honey distributed in California. Honey country of origin labels would need to match the same font and size of the USDA Grade and be placed on the same panel as the grade statement.

“Californians deserve to know where their honey is coming from and what they may be ingesting,” said Assemblymember Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks). “Ignorance stings and not knowing where your honey is coming from could pose a real threat to one’s health.”

CSUCI Environmental Science & Resource Management faculty receive almost $400,000 to study beach access inequities

The beach belongs to everyone. But sea level rise caused by climate change means certain populations may be less and less able to access this natural resource.  

Two Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) faculty members from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will study the problem after receiving $396,060 for a project called “Sustaining Beaches and Social Equity under Higher Sea Levels: An interdisciplinary case study of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell.” 

Assistant Professors of ESRM Kiki Patsch, Ph.D. and Dan Reineman, Ph.D. are leading the research team, which is creating job opportunities for CSUCI students—13 of whom will be hired over the summer. 

$10 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Roadways and Crosswalks throughout Ventura County

Ventura County Public Works Agency announced the acceptance of $10 million in federal funding to cater to four Highway Safety Improvement Program projects in various areas of the county. These important projects seek to improve roadways and crosswalks that will contribute to overall community safety on local roadways.

The program is a core federal-aid program managed by each state for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements. The current program is authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act signed into law December 4, 2015.

Ventura, Santa Barbara and SLO Workforce Development Boards Offer Free 12-Week Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

The Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are partnering with the California Building Trades Council to offer the region’s first construction pre-apprenticeship training program. The WDBs are encouraging those interested in a career in construction to apply to this free 12-week course.

During the 120 hours of Multi-Craft Core Curriculum pre-apprenticeship program, participants will receive a construction industry overview and take classes in blueprint reading, basic construction math, tools and materials, and construction health and safety. Students will learn about clean and green construction–considered an emerging in-demand skill. Instruction follows the training curriculum of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).

Local Grants Expand Vaccination Outreach Strategies

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) announced funding for 13 nonprofit organizations to support vaccination equity strategies across Santa Barbara County. The grants are in response to the national and local trend that shows certain demographic groups are getting vaccinated at lower-rates and that many of these same people have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 18, 2021

A Message from Betsy Swanson Hollinger about her experience as a County Disaster Service Worker. Betsy is pictured (bottom right) with the team at our vaccine site in Thousand Oaks at the Goebel Adult Center.

Message from Betsy:

I wanted to share a brief summary of being a Ventura County Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as you may not have had the opportunity to hear from the details on the front lines of our vaccination clinics. I will speak on behalf of the clinic I was asked to manage with Suzy Watkins. It is the Thousand Oaks Goebel Center clinic.

My summary of the experience is that most of our DSW’s (me included) had been teleworking for almost year prior to deployment. The isolation and all the uncertainty COVID created in our lives was strange and hard for everyone. Coming to work at the clinic, although rough at the beginning since we had not interacted that socially with others, was a weird transition and somewhat overwhelming. We all had so little in-person all day interaction for the 10 months prior. None of us knew anything about working in a clinic either, so we all had some mild anxiety starting out. Needing to interact with hundreds of members of our community each day and also with each other demanded a different store of energy and skill from each of us. Since the get go, we were incredibly aligned with the mission of getting our community vaccinated, our purpose was very clear and has been powerful. For the team, we needed to learn who each of us is, what makes us tick, and how can we become a team with such an interdisciplinary group of county DSW’s and travel nurses from all over our country.

May News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Our exciting partnership with the Templeton Unified School District, now sees students with access to free, afterschool support at Templeton Middle School.  Our continued thanks to must! Charities for bringing this much-need program and Camino Scholars on campus!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — FREE Webinar Schedule

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

COVID-19 RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND / FONDO DE REVITALIZACIÓN DE RESTAURANTES
This event will be held simultaneously in English and Spanish
El evento se presentará simultáneamente en inglés y español

May 20 @ 11:00 am

Bilingual report — National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day 2021

In honor of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, the Board of Supervisors and County of Ventura recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement.

This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and communities throughout our nation.

Maria McCall Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Montecito Bank & Trust Vice President/MClub Director, Maria McCall, to its Board of Directors.

“We’re excited to add Maria McCall to our Board of Trustees,” said Lisa Brabo, FSA Executive Director.  ‘She brings extensive community engagement and leadership experience to our board.”

SBCC — The Bridge — Congratulations, Class of 2021. You did it!

Perseverance. Resilience. These are just two of the qualities demonstrated by the Class of 2021 during a year of unprecedented challenges. Watch the video applauding their accomplishments.

Nearly 1600 students participated in the virtual commencement ceremony held on May 7. Over 4,300 degrees and certificates were awarded, 608 students graduated with honors and 20 graduates are veterans.
Click here to watch the recorded ceremony.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter

1. Economy: There is strong business case for racial equity that is independent of the human to human considerations that we all have felt. Would you believe that ensuring that people of color across the country have equitable wages will lead to an additional $1 trillion in earnings (a 15% gain), an additional $800 billion in spending, and an increase of $450 billion in federal taxes collected? Equity is great for business!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Urban Tech Conference — ‘Forward 2021’ May 18-20

Urban Tech Connect is a platform for under-represented communities to plug-in to the greater technology ecosystem and network with other founders, investors, tech influencers, and industry leaders. The conference also gives access to businesses that are raising significant funding or trying to be successfully acquired. Urban Tech Connect is bridging the gap of diverse ideation in technology while empowering the next generation of founders and entrepreneurs.

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Registration NOW OPEN! for Home Ownership Conference

Does up to $100,000 in down payment assistance sound too good to be true? You could be the next family to benefit from our incredible programs and resources. Find out more at our Homeownership Conference where we have a magnificent line up of breakout sessions for you to chose from! Topics range from boosting your credit score, down payment assistance programs, rental relief help and more! Attend our sessions and join the Session Q& A after.

Santa Paula Art Museum — This May Just Be Your Silver Lining

Win a Painting from Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light

Exhibit closes May 30, 2021. Raffle tickets on sale now.

As Anette Power’s solo exhibition Silver Linings heads into its final two weeks, the artist wants everyone to have a chance at finding their own silver lining. The artist will raffle off her painting Island Fika (pictured above) to one lucky winner on May 30! All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum’s education program. Purchase one raffle ticket for $35; three tickets for $60; or six tickets for $175 (you do not have to be present to win). More importantly, come and see Anette’s light-filled exhibit before it closes Sunday, May 30!

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 14, 2021

There are 32 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,423 new tests performed. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 45 year old male, 75 year old female, and an 87 year old female. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and friends of those that have passed away.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .91 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .86 right now.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255. The full schedule of county clinics and mobile events can be found at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information-sp/

Women’s Economic Ventures’ SOE Foundation to present Lupe Anguiano of Oxnard with 2021 Rock Star Award on May 21

Women’s Economic Ventures’ Spirit of Entrepreneurship (SOE) foundation will present Lupe Anguiano of Oxnard with the 2021 Rock Star Award, to be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 21.

Register here for the virtual event.

Anguiano, 92, is the daughter of Oxnard fieldworkers, who has worked as an entrepreneur and an activist for more than seven decades to improve the social, educational, economic, and environmental conditions of women and the poor. Her many achievements include organizing grape boycotts for Cesar Chavez, developing a program for gang members in East LA, founding a powerful women’s political group with Gloria Steinem, and helping welfare mothers find a better life.

Oxnard filmmaker debuts documentary on Teen Latina Mental Health on June 3

OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, is pleased to announce the culmination of The Esperanza Project, a year-long programming series addressing Teen Latina Mental Health, with the premiere of the Esperanza Documentary on Thursday, June 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. The series was curated by OPAC’s Artist-in-Residence, Oxnard filmmaker Arcelia Martinez, in an effort to raise awareness about the disproportionately high rates of suicide amongst young Latinas compared to their peers and create space to tackle the stigmas surrounding mental health in the Latinx community. 

Bilingual commentary — To College or Not to College?

As I was coming of age in the 1960s, the United States economy was galloping along after the end of World War II and still heading for its peak. By then, we had established ourselves as the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world. 

In the 1950s and ‘60s, college was the indisputable ticket to the middle class, which at the time was an indicator of affluence. Young people were acquiring college educations to graduate and fuel the engines of prosperity. Single-income families were the norm. Except for the scourge of racial discrimination, it was by some measures almost an idyllic society compared to today’s problem-ridden existence for far too many Americans.

But now, even some wealthier families are questioning the intrinsic, assumed value of a college education.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 13

We met Julio from Fillmore and Trini from Oxnard at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Ventura County Medical Center where Julio was receiving cancer treatment. They encouraged our community to get vaccinated to “bring the world back to normalcy and make sure we’re all protected.” It was important to them especially because many kids and teens like Julio who have low immune systems are more protected when we are all vaccinated for COVID-19. Thank you, Julio and Trini for sharing your story.

Bilingual report — Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Youth Aged 12-15

Young people ages 12 through 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the County of Ventura and throughout the state of California. All county run sites that are offering Pfizer are now open to vaccinate children 12-17; minors should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.

This expanded eligibility comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended on Wednesday that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12- to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Parker Hannifin grant expands internship program for CSUCI Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology students

A $144,975 grant from the Parker Hannifin Corporation will enable the expansion of their CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) internship program, which has students involved in a number of projects that will develop their skills in scientific analysis. 

“All have had the opportunity to work closely with our Lab Team to learn a variety of skills in microbiology, analytical chemistry, microscopy, molecular biology, electrochemistry, and many more applications that will most surely serve them in their careers as future scientists,” said Parker Hannifin Engineering Laboratory Supervisor Charlene Gibbert. 

Consulado de México de Oxnard — Information from Ambassador of Mexico on labor conditions

With a value of over 3.5 billion dollars in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties alone, Agriculture is a key part of the vibrant economy of the central coast of Southern California.*
 
Agriculture’s vibrancy in the U.S. owes it in large to the dedicated and tirelessly workforce, mostly of Mexican origin both documented and undocumented.
 
While the greatest majority of agricultural employers in the U.S. provide decent, fair and adequate working conditions, there is always room for improvement in terms of oversight from the government.

CLU School of Management announces upcoming events May 17, 26

Tuesday, May 18   |  1:00 PM (PT)
Dr. Chien will interview Shine Lei, Ph.D., CFA, CFP®, and discuss the following questions: Why are women important in financial planning? What are some characteristics of women as clients? What are some characteristics of women as planners? How do we market to women clients? How to work with women clients efficiently?  Learn more

Gene Haas Foundation Donates $500,000 to Boys & Girls Club in Oxnard to Help Reach $5 Million Comprehensive Campaign Goals

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is a few steps closer to reaching its goal of raising $5 Million to meet its comprehensive campaign goals, thanks to a generous donation made by the Gene Haas Foundation.

The Believe in Our Next Generation Comprehensive Campaign aims to raise $5 million to fulfill BGCOP’s needs for site upgrades, expanded technology resources, STEAM centers, and sustaining resources required to fully respond to the needs of youth in its community of service. The Club now has only $1.3 million dollars left to raise by June 30 and is on track to succeed.

High School Students Invited to Virtual Coding Event

Ventura County high school students are invited to attend the Hackathon by the Sea, a two-day computer coding event presented by the Ventura County Office of Education with support from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering & Expeditionary Warfare Center. Hacker Fund, which is a national nonprofit network of STEM mentors, is joining us again this year to deliver the event.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 12, 2021

his National Hospital Week, we celebrate the healthcare heroes who do so much to keep our community safe and healthy every day. They continue to work hard to move us beyond the pandemic and we appreciate them every day. You are appreciated!

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Help with Rent Relief Program Now Available at VCCDC

Get rent relief at VCCDC! If you’re struggling with paying rent due to a COVID-19 financial hardship, and you’re an income eligible household, you may be eligible for the State of California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program! You can receive help with past due or future rent and utilities, especially if you’re at risk of eviction. VCCDC is a Local Network Partner approved to assist you with applying for this program!
Contact VCCDC to schedule an appointment today:
805-273-7800 or vgalicia@vccdc.org

Lifeguards Return to Ventura Harbor Beaches for Summer

As the summer season approaches, daily lifeguard service will be provided at Ventura Harbor beaches along Spinnaker Drive.

In a unanimous vote on April 21, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized the General Manager of Ventura Harbor, Brian Pendleton, to contract with State Parks to provide lifeguard service from May through September at Harbor Cove, South Beach, and Surfers Knoll beaches. The approved 2021 lifeguard contract of $136,802.37 will provide the adequate coverage to each of the three Ventura Harbor beach areas over a five-month period. 

TOArts Announces Phased Re-Opening with mix of virtual, outdoor, and in-theatre events

Thousand Oaks Arts (TOArts) Presents is back with a diverse lineup of entertainment for the community. With a mix of virtual, outdoor, and eventual in-person events, TOArts and the Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) are excited to bring back safe and fun performances to the Conejo Valley.  

TOArts Presents kicked off in May with “TOArts Scene at the Greens” at the Los Robles Greens golf course. Upcoming performances will include a trio from professional orchestra and Resident Company, New West Symphony, and comedian Craig Shoemaker. Tickets will be sold in pod seating to ensure social distancing and community safety.  

2nd Story Associates Provides “Quality of Life” Health, Education and Social Services to Low-Income Families and Seniors

This past year brought many challenges to our community as many families and seniors faced hardships brought on by the national pandemic — including loss or reductions in income, job loss, as well food and health insecurity. During this time, the nonprofit 2nd Story Associates, responded by continuing its efforts to support low-income families and individuals with critical needs in the Santa Barbara area.  

2nd Story Associates is the nonprofit arm of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB), created to support the development of affordable housing and promote social services for the benefit of low-income members of the Santa Barbara community. 2nd Story creates opportunities for low-income residents, many of whom are residents of HACSB housing and/or Section 8 Voucher recipients, to receive the support needed to preserve their home as well as improve their education, well-being and quality of life. They strive to ensure there is always hope for someone’s “2nd story.”   

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 11, 2021

“People getting vaccinated could make us feel a little more safe and comfortable because we’re not getting a virus that could potentially be fatal to us. It could really help us continue to have a normal life while still receiving treatment.” – Jacob Gibson, 16

We met Jacob and his mom Heather Gibson today before he received his treatment at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disease at the Ventura County Medical Center. Jacob receives chemotherapy once a month to fight his Leukemia and is feeling healthy these days. Jacob and his mom both had COVID-19 last year and thankfully recovered.

Now they’re asking our community to get vaccinated to protect kids and teenagers like Jacob. Many who are treated for blood disease do not respond to the vaccines because their immune systems are low.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — QUARANTEEN | Teen Arts Collective | Live Film Premiere on May 16, more news

MCASB is proud to present Quaranteen, a group of video works by the 2020-2021 Teen Arts Collective. Featuring seven individual bodies of work, Quaranteen explores the lived experience of each artist throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine. Quaranteen aims to embody an experience that has been both universally shared and individually unique, from the teenage perspective and through the medium of film. The Teen Arts Collective comprises seven students from Santa Barbara and surrounding areas, spanning across several different schools and grade levels. 

SEEAG Launches ‘Gill’s Onions’ Double Your Impact Challenge’ For May

Gill’s Onions will match all donations up to $10,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) during the month of May as part of SEEAG’s second annual Double Your Impact Challenge.

Gill’s Onions, based in Oxnard, is one of the nation’s largest family-owned onion growers and processors. Products sold nationally include whole, sliced, diced and slivered onions. It is a long-time supporter of SEEAG’s agricultural education programming that has reached over 60,000 elementary school students in central and southern California since its founding in 2008. All SEEAG programs are 100 percent cost-free to schools and students.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES: THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND
This event will be held simultaneously in English and Spanish
El evento se presentará simultáneamente en inglés y español

CSUCI Associate Professor of History awarded Harvard Radcliffe Institute fellowship—and two others

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of History Robin Mitchell, Ph.D., is headed east in the Fall after receiving a year-long fellowship from Harvard Radcliffe Institute in Cambridge, Mass.  

“It is humbling and really wonderful,” Mitchell said. “Most of the time we apply for these fellowships that don’t come through. So, we’re encouraged to apply for multiple fellowships.” 

United Way of Ventura County — Respond. Recover. Reimagine

Later this morning, I’ll be rolling up my sleeve for the second COVID-19 vaccine dose. While I’m not looking forward to the potential side effects, I know I’ll feel safer seeing friends and family at various celebrations and gatherings that have been put on hold for far too long. You can learn more about why the vaccine is one of our most powerful tools to ending the pandemic at www.vaccinateall58.com.

Santa Barbara Food Action Network — Spring Member Newsletter

Spring is a vibrant time for our food system – farmers are harvesting their first crops of the year, eaters are savoring the abundance, and many of you are busy working on and/or trying to garner funding for projects (see below for the latest funding opportunities).

This season, SBCFAN is sharing stories of collaboration that are activating closed loop systems and projects that build resilience, access, justice, and sovereignty into the food system – read our South County Community Profile to learn more.

Bilingual report — $500,000 Grant Awarded to Local Non-Profits WEV and MICOP for the 2021 Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) Program

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), in partnership with the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), has been awarded a $500,000 Grant for the 2021 Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) Entrepreneurship Program from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the Employment Training Panel (ETP).  WEV and MICOP will use the SEED Initiative funding to support underrepresented and marginalized individuals who face significant barriers to employment by providing them with entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and micro-grants to launch or grow their own businesses in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“We are thrilled to partner with MICOP to launch the SEED Program,” said WEV CEO Kathy Odell. “With MICOP’s expertise in supporting and empowering the indigenous migrant community in our region, and WEV’s history of providing small business training and small business loans to women and other local entrepreneurs, we have the combined expertise to provide our SEED participants with pathways for economic self-sufficiency.”

Bilingual commentary — Native America Was Not “Nothing”

Former senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum echoed last week what many of us learned in school about the history of early America: that the original white “settlers” who arrived from distant shores had planted the seeds of American culture. In fact, he said that there was “nothing here” when the colonizers arrived. He flatly declared that “there isn’t much Native American culture in American culture.”

Mr. Santorum’s baseless claims about the absence of Native American influence on our national character is a continuation of white nationalist propaganda that ignores, or at least gravely understates, the vast impact of Native American culture upon ours. To say, as he did, that the first settlers to arrive on our eastern shores “birthed a nation from nothing” is to erase the wisdom and knowledge that was already present and predated the birth of the United States by several millennia.

Guest commentary — 21st Century Community Safety Requires Love and a Rigorous Ethnically and Culturally Congruent Mental Health Component

At the Keys to Empower You in the System (KEYS) Leadership Academy, which was housed at the Café on A, Oxnard, we believed that the best community safety is where all adults, young adults, kids and everyone else in Oxnard (all the cities of this nation) feels a real sense of civic involvement and transparency, responsibility of ownership, peace, love and respect. We know full well that safety is mostly perceptual, thus any community safety program must incorporate a rigorous mental health and wellness component. We have relied much too long on “traditional policing” alone to bring us safety. As a sobering reminder, let us not forget that Oxnard is yearly designated by highly reputable demographers as one of the safest cities in the country for it size in the entire nation.

Yet, we have often let others assign us the “bum rap” about “crime riddled Oxnard”.

El Concilio Family Services — InformaGente Extra! – Los Tigres del Norte: Vacúnate

En este video de servicio público, los miembros de la legendaria banda Los Tigres del Norte animan a todos a recibir la vacuna para el COVID-19 porque es muy importante cuidar a nuestros seres queridos, nuestra familia, nuestros amigos y todos los que nos rodean.

Listos California, en asociación con la Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos (LULAC) y la Fundación Nacional Hispana para las Artes (NHFA), produce la serie de conversación en línea “InformaGente” para fomentar una cultura de preparación para emergencias entre las comunidades latinas.

Bilingual report — Ventura County launches COVID-19 Vaccine public outreach campaign in partnership with Ventura County Complete Reach Committee to build community immunity

The County of Ventura has partnered with the Ventura County Community Foundation and Complete Reach Committee to launch a public outreach campaign to build community immunity. “The pandemic has shown the strength of our partnerships here in Ventura County. Those partnerships have been critical in moving us forward. Now, more than ever, working together we can build community immunity through outreach and education,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.

Grant funding is now available to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to support outreach activities. Organizations are invited to submit a grant application at  https://vaccinatevc.org/. Applications are due by Friday, May 7, 2021. The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) in partnership with the County of Ventura, CBOs, businesses, local cities and individual grantees will expand vaccine education, awareness and outreach activities.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency Offers Largest Annual Educational Event as a Customizable Virtual Curriculum for Local Schools

As students transition back into school after the many challenges the county has faced over the past year, Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating the strength and resilience of the community by gearing up for its largest annual educational event for National Public Works Week (NPWW) for the second year in a row. While VCPWA is unable to accommodate an in-person event, on Monday, May 17, the agency will launch a dedicated webpage featuring a virtual tour of the multi-faceted agency and its five departments.  

Growing upon the success of last year’s event, VCPWA took another innovative approach to its digital curriculum by incorporating feedback from the participating teachers, allowing a more customized experience for not only students but members of the public as well. During the week, students, faculty, and the general public can access a virtual tour with a robust curriculum featuring video demonstrations, educational materials and interactive projects. 

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 6, 2021

Maria Hernández, a community member in Santa Paula, shares why she rolled up her sleeves and got vaccinated.

Watch for the special appearance from her mother, Elvia Hernández, from Proyecto Esperanza and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula!

Thank you Maria for protecting yourself, your daughter, and your community.

Farmworker Household Assistance Program continues efforts to secure funds for Ventura County farmworkers in immediate need of financial relief

House Farm Workers! announced this week that Phase II of the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) is beginning to provide further emergency assistance to more farmworkers and their families in need from among the 45,000 who live and work in Ventura County. There is an immediate effort to raise $100,000 in order to maximize a 1:2 challenge match up to $50,000 from Ventura County Community Foundation’s (VCCF) COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. The goal is to raise a total of $500,000 in Phase II. All donations will be provided directly to local farmworkers in need with eligibility and distribution overseen by the Farmworker Resource Program within the Human Services Agency of Ventura County.

To help reach the 1:2 challenge match, tax-deductible donations are being requested immediately at www.vccf.org/fhap/

Agromin and Plantel Nurseries Give Away Potting Soil & Vegetable Seedlings To SEEAG’s “Let’s Grow A Garden” Students & Families

Kids and their families participating in SEEAG’s “Let’s Grow A Garden” home garden program picked up donated potting soil from Agromin and vegetable seedling from Plantel Nurseries last week. More than 1,000 4-quart bags of potting soil and over 3,000 seedlings were distributed at Agromin’s Oxnard headquarters and at Ventura County elementary schools.

“Our busiest day was Earth Day,” says Caitlin Case, program director at Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). “Thank you to Agromin and Plantel Nurseries for making the giveaway possible. Now, the students can get to work planting, caring for and harvesting their vegetables including kale, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower.

Moorpark College Student Receives Statewide Writing Scholarship

Moorpark College student Lauren Rosenthal was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship in the annual Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) Writing Scholarship. The award was for her inspiring profile article on Moorpark College alumni Carmel Gutherz, a first-generation American who earned her master’s degree in education from Southern Methodist University and currently works for Teach for America as a corps member in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Rosenthal started as an intern in the Ventura County Community College District’s Public Affairs and Marketing Department in 2019 and is now a student worker with the department. Throughout her time with the District, she has written a number of articles that appear on the District’s website and in local publications.

RISE Launches Accessibility Outreach Campaign

RISE is proud to announce the launch of its latest campaign, raising awareness about RISE’s expanded services to survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence who have disabilities.

Funded by a $125,000 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES), RISE has bolstered services for survivors with disabilities, including advocacy, case management, crisis support, and shelter. RISE will also begin offering an end-to-end encrypted website chat feature providing access to their state-certified crisis counselors for those who are not able to make a confidential phone call. This pilot program will begin with limited hours in late May 2021.

SBCC Performing, Visual and Media Arts Pop-Up Exhibition through May 31

Now through May 31, the entire community is cordially invited to visit an online pop-up exhibition featuring the work of Santa Barbara City College students from the departments of American Ethnic Studies, Art, Film and Television Production, Graphic Design, Photography, Journalism, and Multimedia Arts and Technologies.

Students worked closely with faculty to create and articulate a body of thought-provoking work inspired by the theme of this year’s All-SBCC Student Conference hosted by the Honors Program, “Justice: Environmental, Economic, Racial.”

Clínicas del Camino Real, Inc. Celebrates 50 Years!

What began in 1971 as a way to improve the lives of the medically underserved population across Ventura County has evolved into one of the largest healthcare systems on the Central Coast. Today, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. is able to meet the needs of more than 100,000 patients with an array of comprehensive and culturally competent; primary health care, chiropractic, dental, vision, mental health, pharmacy, specialty, telehealth, hospital and preventative care services to facilitate both healing and growth. Through operation of 16 full-service health centers, a fleet of mobile medical units, and more than 25 school-based sites, patients of all ages are embraced by a culture of care from more than 800 employees; making Clinicas’ one of the largest employers in Ventura County.

Bilingual report — GCTD Introducing ‘Late Night Safe Rides’ Shared Rides from 8pm-11pm

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), Ventura County’s largest public transit provider, will be launching a new “Late Night Safe Rides” shared ride, demand-response service available to anyone who requires transportation within the GCTD service area from the hours of 8PM to 11PM.  The new service is intended to provide passengers an affordable and safe option during late night hours, in particular workers in fields such as hospitality and health care, who may get off from work late at night.

“With this project we will be able to address a gap in late night service, and also be able to learn more about our passengers’ late night travel patterns after most buses stop running” said Steve Brown, General Manager.  The new demonstration service will be funded for one year by Federal Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant funds with a specific emphasis on assisting essential workers in their reverse commutes.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 5, 2021

There are 28 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,192 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .74 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .88 right now.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art Welcomes Visitors Back into the Galleries on May 11

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) is pleased to welcome visitors back into the galleries on May 11, in accordance with the State of California and Santa Barbara County COVID-19 protocols.  

In order to ensure social distancing in the galleries, SBMA is recommending all visitors to make reservations through the online ticketing system at tickets.sbma.net, with admission being free for the foreseeable future. 

Ventura County School Receives State Honor for Arts Education

Santa Susana High School in the Simi Valley Unified School District is one of just 33 schools in the state to receive the 2021 California Exemplary Arts Education Award from the California Department of Education. The winning schools engage students in quality arts education that meet California Arts Standards for Public Schools and demonstrate progress on indicators on the California School Dashboard. The award is designed to celebrate successful efforts to engage students in arts through exposure to a variety of disciplines.

“Even more so during the pandemic, the arts give students a vital creative outlet and a chance to connect with their peers,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “I want to commend Santa Susana High School for maintaining its commitment to arts education during distance learning and for being recognized at the state level with this well-deserved award.”

Walk to End Alzheimer’s To Be In Person This Fall

The Alzheimer’s Association is moving forward with plans to host the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in person this fall, in five different locations throughout the California Central Coast:

• West Ventura County on Saturday, Sept. 25
• Santa Maria on Saturday, Oct. 2
• East Ventura County on Saturday, Oct. 23
• San Luis Obispo on Saturday, Oct. 30
• Santa Barbara on Saturday, Nov. 6

According to the association, the health and safety of all participants remains the top priority as decisions are being made in all walk markets regarding event details.

Bilingual report — Court Rules Against and Sanctions City Treasurer Phillip Molina

A superior court judge denied a request from Oxnard City Treasurer Phillip Molina demanding unredacted versions of an investigator’s personnel report into employee complaints against Molina. Molina also sought transcribed statements of witnesses interviewed by the investigator, the City of Oxnard reported in a media release on May 5.

The judge stated that the information Molina seeks is not discoverable in this action and issued monetary sanctions of $1,050 to be paid by Molina. Molina’s lawsuit challenges the ordinance and resolutions adopted unanimously by the City Council in May of 2020, removing the Treasurer’s administrative duties.

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — NURTURE OUR MOTHER | mural by Adriana Arriaga & Claudia Borfiga and more events

Nurture our Mother by Adriana Arriaga & Claudia Borfiga
“Nurture our Mother, is a celebration of the power of the Earth and the many magical things within it that play vital roles in our ecosystem.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 4, 2021

There are 55 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 3,359 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .75 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .88 right now. 

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

Ventura County is currently in the Orange Tier. Learn more about the State of California’s Blueprint for Safety Economy here.

Museum of Ventura County — New Digital Jigsaw Puzzles + New Zoom Events + More!

oin us for the next installment in our new Zoom series, Local History Happy Hour with Jeffrey Maulhardt, author of “A History of Oxnard,” on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 5—6PM. In this series, local authors and historians sit down with The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw to discuss their unique perspectives on our region’s history, and take questions from the audience.

This online program is free, but requires advanced registration.

“VCLA is an accelerator that gave me an incubator year for my business”

While accepting his award from Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) during its 2021 Journey to Leadership Awards, Alumnus of the Year James Joyce, III noted, “VCLA is an accelerator that gave me an incubator year for my business, Coffee with a Black Guy. The simple idea of sitting down to have a conversation with our neighbors builds community around genuine connections, which to me is an extension of what VCLA stands for.” Joining Joyce in being honored were four other impactful Ventura County leaders who exemplify what it means to contribute to our community.

“We are truly honored and grateful to be able to recognize these exceptional community leaders and to celebrate the work they do in support of the citizens of Ventura County,” said VCLA Director, Pattie Braga.

Friendship Center — Special Request for Care Tote Donors

Friendship Center, with the help of our fabulous CARE partners, is preparing to distribute its 10th round of Take Care Totes to isolated seniors in Santa Barbara County.

Many of our senior friends are living with a dementia diagnosis and other health conditions and have had little to no contact with the outside world for 12 months. The Take Care Totes, providing healthy snacks and drinks, personal care items, activities, games and more, have become a lifeline for our senior friends as well as their family caregivers.

Teacher of the Year for VCOE-Operated Schools is Announced

A veteran teacher who has spent his career working with students with disabilities has been named Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Shamus Auth has been a special education teacher at VCOE schools for 18 years and currently teaches young adults with disabilities at VCOE’s Dorothy Boswell School in Ventura. Mr. Auth will now be in the running for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, which is open to all teachers countywide.

Mr. Auth found out about the honor today when his family, his Principal Aran Burke and Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Dr. César Morales made a surprise visit to his classroom. Also on hand to break the good news were VCOE Associate Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams and VCOE Executive Director of Special Education Holly Minear.

Bilingual report — Ventura Land Trust Plants New Oak Grove in Harmon Canyon Preserve

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) launched a major reforestation project at its 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve with the planting of a new oak grove on Saturday, April 24th. The 4-acre grove, funded by a grant from SoCalGas, is planted in a terrace area of the preserve near the preserve’s trailhead.

With 10 miles of trails for hiking and biking, Harmon Canyon Preserve is Ventura’s first large-scale nature preserve.

SoCalGas’s grant award funded the planting of 50 coast live oak trees, as well as 150 native plants like California sagebrush, purple sage, coyote brush, bush sunflower, and Yerba Buena. A trail winds through the grove, so that the public can see and enjoy the reforested area.

22nd Annual YMCA National Day of Prayer Breakfast Will Be Online May 6th

Spiritual and community leaders will be part of the virtual Southeast Ventura County YMCA National Day of Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 6. This is the 22nd year the YMCA has hosted the Prayer Breakfast and the second year it has been held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speakers and performers will provide inspirational messages and song during the 40-minute program. Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. Gary Dickey, Retired Pastor of United Methodist Church, Chaplain of United States Air Force Auxiliary and Deputy Chaplain of California Civil Air Patrol.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 3, 2021

There are 76 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 10,100 new tests performed. There has been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .80 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .89 right now. 

60.7% of people 16 years and older have received one dose in Ventura County.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

Gardens on Hope, Affordable Sanctuary for Independent-Living Seniors Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

In a year shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and local affordable housing challenges for low-income seniors, the Housing Authority City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) had something to celebrate with the residents of  Gardens on Hope (GOH). On April 13, 2021 they joined together to mark the first-year anniversary of this residential complex designed for seniors located at251 South Hope Avenue in Uptown Santa Barbara. The celebration was hosted by HACSB, Garden Court, Inc. and The Parsons Group, agencies that collaborated in the conception and subsequent development of this housing development.

SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center Announces Student Winners of its 11th Annual Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge

The Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge business plan and pitch competition returned for its 11th season on Friday, April 23, showcasing some of our region’s most exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge college and high school student entrepreneurs. The event was live streamed on YouTube and the video can be viewed on the Scheinfeld Center’s YouTube channel.

Students from Santa Barbara City College and University of California, Santa Barbara, kicked off the collegiate tier of the event, followed by the high school tier, which featured students from San Marcos High School. The aspiring entrepreneurs competed for over $15,000 in cash awards and startup support.

The Friendship Center — May 2021 Friendly Finch

It all started with a small thing in the early 1970s when Cynder Sinclair was helping in her son’s classroom. “I noticed some of the kids were not dressed warmly enough for the weather,” she says. 

Cynder was living with her husband and five children in the small farming community of Kingsburg, where it gets cold in the off season and the migrant workers don’t get paid.

Because she’s fluent in Spanish, her son’s teacher assigned Cynder to tutor the farmworker’s children. 

Some of us see a problem and feel bad. We might talk to friends or post on social media. Others get busy and fix it. Cynder, chief executive of Nonprofit Kinect and Friendship Center board member is by nature firmly planted in the latter group. 

United Way of Ventura County — An exciting new resource to share …

United Way of Ventura County is excited to share with you that we’ve created a website to exclusively cover our United to End Homelessness Initiative efforts. This website will be a central hub that features resources, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, tenant and landlord testimonials, resources and beyond.
The website will continue to evolve and expand as we develop more efforts related to this initiative.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinics Accepting Walk-ins

The following clinics are accepting walk-ins (no appointment required). 

Sunday, May 2

Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center

4689 Highway 166, New Cuyama

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Moderna

Thursday, May 6

The Lark

131 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara

10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 30

There are 20 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 5,727 new tests performed. There has been 1 additional death of a 40 year old female.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .88 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .87 right now. 

60% of people 16 years and older have received one dose in Ventura County. 19.8% of the population 16 years and older have received one dose in CA.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Prepare To Be Impressed

Now On View: Erin Hanson: Colors of California

Exhibit runs May 1, 2021 to July 25, 2021

West Coast artist Erin Hanson has earned a huge following thanks to her unique painting style, which has been dubbed “Open Impressionism” and is now taught to art students worldwide. (She also started selling paintings at the age of 10!) Open Impressionism is a blend of classical impressionism and modern expressionism, with a dash of plein air style. In other words, prepare yourself to be completely impressed. Erin Hanson: Colors of California is on view now through July 25, 2021.

The exhibit can also be enjoyed online, although we encourage you to visit all four of our current exhibitions in person!

Downtown Oxnard — It’s Gonna Be MAY!

Support Women, Art, and Small Businesses
Tomorrow May 1st from 11 am-4 pm join the Fundraiser Mixer at Open Door Studio to celebrate local women, small businesses, and the creative arts.
Live Music, Free Art Classes, Food, Vendors, Prizes, and an all-female exhibit. At 329 W 5th St.
For more info: ARTGIRLS#!T

CSUCI’s Study Abroad program rated 9th in the nation by Open Doors

Open Doors 2020 Study Abroad report has ranked CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Study Abroad as 9th in the nation for the 2019-2020 academic year. The 2020 Open Doors report is released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE).  

The pandemic cut the programs short at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year, but the Study Abroad staff is ready to go when it’s safe for students to travel again.

Bilingual commentary — When Religion Channels Into Politics

A Gallup news item from last month describes the precipitous drop in religious affiliation in the United States since the turn of the century—not that long ago. In just over 20 years, the number of those who declare themselves members of a church, mosque, or synagogue has decreased more than 20%. In fact, according to the Gallup poll cited in the report, less than half of Americans claim to belong to a religious organization.

Open Letter to our Justice and Police Reform Movements Friends and Supporters

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Police Reform and Social Justice Movement,

We pray that you dear folks are well. We send you all our love, peace and happiness. It has been a long while since we have enjoyed each other wonderful company. So as I reach out, perhaps in an untimely and out of the blue manner, please be sure that we understand the hardship of the times and if replying to this note is difficult or impossible at this trying time, of course, we understand. You can contact me at: ava1040@yahoo.com

That being said I, I am sure you folks as well, have anguished over all of the mayhem, and killings that are being levelled upon our sisters and brothers of color throughout this nation by the police. And we are left with a feeling, almost always, of total impotence because we feel powerless to do anything about the deadly cop violence or reforming the police. I have been filled with an impotent sense of dread and paralysis too!

Then something happened to me just very recently that made me re-think this police reform conundrum and I do not feel so hopelessly impotent now. I have a vision, not an original vision, to be sure, but a clear vision nonetheless, sparked by what I thought was an innocuous effort on my part to reach out to my justice and police reform brethren in this time of acute pain and suffering.

Tony Morris and Cathy Cash to chair Montecito Rotary Club’s ‘Back 2 School’ Fundraiser

Rotary Club of Montecito officially announces the chairs of its “Back 2 School” fundraiser as Tony Morris, Club Director of Vocational Service, and Cathy Cash, past Club President.

Since its founding in 1953, Rotary Club of Montecito has been developing projects and delivering service to their community and the wider world for over 67 years. Continuing that philanthropic mission, the Club is hosting a “Back 2 School” fundraiser on May 19, 2021 for Santa Barbara City College student scholarships.

As productive members of the California Central Coast philanthropy community, Tony Morris and Cathy Cash are charged with planning and oversight of the fundraising event for the SBCC Foundation.

California Distinguished Schools Include Two in Ventura County

Two Ventura County high schools are being honored as 2021 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education. Oak Park High School in the Oak Park Unified School District and Rancho Campana High School in the Oxnard Union High School Districts are recipients of this coveted award.

“I want to congratulate everyone at Oak Park High School and Rancho Campana High School for being named 2021 California Distinguished Schools,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s an especially impressive achievement in this school year that’s been filled with unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic,” he said.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update

There are 21 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,817 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .79 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .88 right now.

41.3% of the county population of 16 years and older are completely vaccinated.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Ventura County Economic Vitality — NUEVA subvención para restaurantes – Fondo de Revitalización de Restaurantes de la SBA

La inscripción para el Fondo de Revitalización de Restaurantes (RRF) comenzará el viernes 30 de abril a las 6:00 am, y la SBA comenzará a aceptar solicitudes a través del portal de solicitudes el lunes 3 de mayo a las 9:00 am. El portal de solicitudes permanecerá abierto a cualquier establecimiento elegible hasta que se agoten los fondos. Como preparación, se recomienda a las empresas que se registren para obtener una cuenta con antelación y que revisen el modelo de solicitud, la guía del programa y la tabla de elegibilidad de los distintos programas. 

Port of Hueneme — Interested in Global Trade? Join Us May 4!

The Port of Hueneme is a World Trade Center licensee, and in concert with our strong team of stakeholders, is hosting this event as part of our overall initiative to advance the businesses of Ventura County and expand their reach into the global marketplace. The focus this year will be on the challenges and opportunities offered by our post-pandemic world.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for April 28, 2021

There are 11 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,183 new tests performed. There has been 1 additional death, 90 year old woman.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .80 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .85 right now.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — May 3 Digital Marketing Course deadline is April 30

Our highly rated Digital Marketing Science course combines online learning with weekly live, group sessions.

Marketing in the Digital Age

This module will ground you in the core concepts you will need to be a successful digital marketer.

Mapping Strategy to Tactics

Research competitors, investigate concepts like brand, persona, and journey, then define the messaging and content that best connects with your target audience.

Mastering Digital Marketing Channels

You will learn marketing analytics, search engine optimization, paid search, paid social, multichannel campaigns and more.

Using Marketing Technology

Understand the martech stack, gain in-demand technical certifications, and learn how to manage complex multichannel campaigns that influence the customer experience.

The Results

You’ll walk away with industry-recognized certifications and a Strategic Digital Marketing Playbook that showcases your robust digital marketing skills to current and future employers.

NOW LIVE: Watch wild endangered California condor chick live on ‘Condor Cam’

For the sixth year, people from around the globe can get up-close-and-personal with an endangered California condor chick in real-time through live streaming video of a cliff-side nest in a canyon near the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Ventura County, California.  

California condor chick #1075 hatched on April 10, 2021. Its parents are ten-year-old female condor #594 and 15-year-old male condor #374. This is the pair’s first nesting attempt together and they are using a nest cavity used in 2018 by #374 and his former mate. Female condor #594 previously paired with male condor #462 in 2018 and 2020, successfully fledging one chick each year. This year marks male condor #374’s sixth nesting attempt at raising a chick; he has successfully fledged four chicks in previous years.  

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Join us from wherever you are – FREE Workshops

Upcoming Workshops Must-have information accessible from wherever you are! If you are a tenant or a landlord, this is a workshop you won’t want to miss! Learn about rights and responsibilities when it comes to fair housing. Plus learn about…

CLU School of Management — Vote now in the People’s Choice Awards in our student competitions and more upcoming events

We are coming down to the wire, just a few more days/hours to vote in both competitions! We have surpassed our goal of 800 participants voting by 400% but we want more. If you haven’t seen the work of our students, check it out today and select your favorites. The PRiME Competition closes on Tuesday followed by the New Venture Fair on Wednesday.

Bilingual report — Local Women Business Owners Honored as 2021 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award Finalists by Women’s Economic Ventures

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is proud to announce the 30 finalists for the 11th annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards (SOE) to be held virtually on May 21, from 12noon -1:30pm. The SOE Awards celebrate outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in ten industry categories. Community members are invited to attend the free, online event; register at Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards.

A panel of independent judges, who all live outside the tri-county area, selected the finalists from an impressive group of applicants throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. This year, the judges also took into consideration the impact the businesses make in their community and the entrepreneurs’ resiliency to the challenges presented by the global pandemic. Stacy Harris, a judge from Phoenix, Arizona, said the finalists are “an impressive class of driven female entrepreneurs adapting to an unpredictable environment during the pandemic in support of community and creative services and products.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura approves $3.65 million in additional funding for Farmworker Household Assistance Program to help farmworkers struggling from ongoing impacts of COVID-19

The Board of Supervisors on April 27 approved an additional $3.65 million in Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to support the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) bringing total support to more than $7.1 million to assist farmworkers and their families. This funding will provide financial aid of $1,000 to eligible households who were previously funded through this program and who still reside in the County.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance where it’s needed most. This program is important in supporting Farmworkers who are vital members of our community. This will help those who are struggling from the impacts of the pandemic and those who support us all through the agricultural products they provide throughout the year,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.

Moorpark College Forensics Continues to Thrive in Virtual Competitions at the State and National Level

The nationally recognized Moorpark College Forensics team has once again won the team championship in its division at the Phi Rho Pi National Championships, held April 6-11. This is the college’s 11th national championship in forensics, or speech and debate. The team also competed at the California Community College Forensics Association State Championships in March.

“Of the 12 students who represented Moorpark College at the national championships, eight are new to the team this year, and to speech competitions of any kind,” said Rolland Petrello, chair of the Communications and Media Arts Department and head forensics coach. “Six of those students are new to the team this semester. We have not met most of the team members in person, as everything we are doing–from recruiting and coaching to competitions–has taken place virtually. However, I think these students are a testament to how excellence can be achieved even under the most trying of conditions.”

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update

There are 52 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 2,582 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .77 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .87 right now.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

Museum of Ventura County — THIS WEEKEND: Grab & Go Bag Giveaway!

Join us at the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) this Saturday, May 1st @ 10am and at the Museum of Ventura County (100 E. Main St., Ventura) this Sunday, May 2nd @ 10am for our next Grab & Go Bag giveaway!

Discover creative ways to help protect our planet by using the 3Rs: Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling. Each fun-filled bag contains Small Footprints: Mateo Learns About the 3Rs storybook, Small Footprints: Activity and Coloring booklet, Paper Populous Garbage Truck Favor Box Craft, Food Forward’s Get Crafty with Your Food Waste Recipes, Play-Well TEKnologies wrist band, Compost Circle of Life, Composting at Home!, and so much more.

Bilingual report — County Board of Supervisors approves concept for 3rd Business Assistance Grant Program

The Board of Supervisors on April 27 unanimously approved the concept of a 3rd Business Assistance Grant Program to provide $5,000 grants to recipients of the County’s first and second Business Assistance Grant Programs totaling $30,700,000 in additional assistance bringing the total amount to more than $60 million in grants for local businesses. Staff will return to the Board with a final program for approval.

“The coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and economic crisis. Local businesses have been subjected to shutdowns, reduced capacity, and health and safety protocols that have inflicted a significant financial burden,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “The survival of our local businesses, the economy, and jobs they support is essential to the wellbeing of Ventura County. Every business matters. Each one represents owners, workers, jobs and families that are vital to our community. We hope additional support will help these businesses continue to move forward.”